Things could have been very different for Charlie Patino who looked certain to end his eight-year association with Arsenal on a permanent basis (Athletic £) last summer.
The 19-year-old was reportedly against another loan move having impressed at Blackpool last season and ready to pursue his career elsewhere.
But after joining Championship side Swansea on loan in August, Patino is shining again and has his sights set on breaking through under Mikel Arteta.
“For me, it’s about getting a lot of minutes and playing a lot of games,” he told MailSport. “I’ve always wanted to create a lot of chances and get goals and assists.
“I want to keep improving and helping the team to get as high as possible. Swansea is a massive club, with a big history and we want to get them back to where they belong.
🥁 Introducing your @Westacresltd goal of the month winner for September …@CharliePatino10 💫 pic.twitter.com/wg8e7riOep
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) October 10, 2023
“Training with them [Arsenal first team] has helped me develop on and off the pitch,” he added. “It made me really confident. I kept going back and it felt like I was part of the team.
“They’ve got some real leaders, like [Martin] Odegaard, like Bukayo (Saka) – he’s come up through the ranks – and getting advice from him and (Emile) Smith Rowe has been really good for me.
“When I first went over to train with the first team, they all came over, put their arms around my shoulder and just said, “Enjoy yourself, play with a smile on your face and express yourself”.
Patino has also taken inspiration from William Saliba whose Arsenal future looked uncertain after three loan spells, before eventually returning and becoming a key figure under Arteta.
Big game, big performance 💪 pic.twitter.com/jgKLONRPyT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 10, 2023
“Saliba is a different player to me. He’s a centre back, big, powerful, so for me it’s inspiring to see someone go on loan, make a name for himself and come back and show his qualities at Arsenal because it is a massive club.
“Everyone’s journey is different. Bukayo went straight from academy to first team, Eddie went on a few loans, Emile went on a few loans, so everyone’s journey is different.
“But ultimately, it’s about getting to where you want to get to, and that’s the same for me. I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that.”
Patino has made nine appearances for Swansea this season – scoring one goal and assisting three – and is under contract until 2025 after the club triggered a one-year extension clause in his contract in May.
I’ve got a lot of time for this guy, hope he manages to fulfill his dream here at Arsenal.
I don’t really understand what happened this summer. Patino has been called by some the brightest light the academy had ever seen. He even scored on his debut. I can only assume we were looking for a low fee with a buy-back clause attached. People will say he didn’t set the world on fire on loan. Neither did Gnabry. Neither did Smith Rowe. Neither did Emi. Very glad he’s looking at becoming an Arsenal first teamer again. Maybe both Jorginho and Elneny move on this summer and Patino could then become a League Cup player who can deputise a little… Read more »
Putting Martinez in that group seems like a reach, we got a good fee for him and he wanted to leave or he was going to throw a tantrum.
Well, he didn’t want to leave but he wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter which led to him leaving in the end.
To be fair, he was getting into his late 20s and still no first team guarantee after a brilliant spell.
And to be extra fair, he only had that brilliant spell because our first choice got injured, could’ve easily gone another season without getting a chance and we would’ve had to sell him for pennies at best.
But anyway I think Johnny’s point is entirely different, that loan spells (especially in the Championship) aren’t necessarily the best indicators of talent
Just referring to the fact he did nothing on loan and then was excellent for the first XI.
He ran his mouth a lot when he was on loan- its the one thing you can count on emi to do, put himself first.
I am not going to beat around the bush. Elneny out, Patino in.
Patino’s a bit more Havertz or Odegard.
Elneny is going to be out of contract in the summer. There’s no reason to be mean to the guy.
We will still need at least one more midfielder anyway, rice can’t play 50+ games a season.
This is good news, at one point during the summer I thought he would be gone. I’d love to see him succeed.
Just looked up his assists for Swansea, the one v. Bristol City is pure class. But looking at some compilations of his touches it seems like he definitely has a defensive aspect to his game too, even though he’s stick thin he has a bit of that Wilshere fire to go after it and loves a good slide tackle (perhaps a bit over-enthusiastically at times). Could be a good backup to Ode perhaps if he keeps improving?
ESR is the backup to Ode. Martinelli as a CF and both Ode or ESR behind him and Saka on his right.
Good luck little duck!
Patino not Patito! 😀
We have to remember he’s only 19. So much for the young lads is down to mind-set and attitude and its what this is all about. The journey’s set them up for the career ahead. If he comes out from this a stronger man he’s in an even better position for Arsenal or an alternative – as per Saliba. But also just look at Ramsdale – how far his career’s come and we think he’s nailed on, then suddenly into his current situation. The mindset needs to be so solid to have a chance of succeeding. Next year Elneny likely… Read more »
Well, if the Havertz experiment doesn’t work, Charlie’s also got that height. Who knows…
🎼 🎶 Charlie! Charlie! 🎶 🎶 🎶 Charlie! Charlie! 🎶
If Patino does break into the first team – there is one thing for sure – he will be a hell of a player. Let’s hope he continues to develop and bridge the massive gap between talented youth player and first team regular.
It’s as much about luck and circumstances as anything. If he performs well he could find himself in the running for the left 8 position.
Not sure what it’s worth but I’m pretty sure it was another Charlie George) scoring a screamer in the FA cup final that made me an Arsenal fan at the age of 6.
Hopefully Patino gets a chance to do the same!